A 23 year-old man has appeared before a Derry court for tattooing a 13 year-old boy.
Jonathan Wells, of Newlyn Terrace, Waterside, came before Derry Magistrates Court charged with tattooing a minor.
The offence took place on May 18.
The court heard that police received a report about the victim, a 13 year-old boy, who had been given a permanent tattoo of a winged heart on his right forearm by Wells.
Police went to Wells' address and discovered that he was not a licensed tattooist and the house was not a registered property for tattooing procedures.
The court was told that the boy had contacted Wells through Facebook and there had been correspondence between the two arranging for the tattoo to be done.
Wells told police he was unsure of the name of the victim but that the boy had been directed to him by a qualified tattoo artist.
Wells said he believed the boy was 17 but had neglected to ask him his age or to provide identification.
He admitted that he was 'negligent' not to have ascertained the boy's age.
Tattooing equipment was seized from Wells and the 13 year-old was given blood tests.
Emma Keenan, defence solicitor, said Wells was an aspiring tattoo artist who had carried out work on family and friends hoping to build a portfolio of work.
Ms Keenan said that Wells had not tattooed since the incident and was 'very, very upset' about being before the court.
She added that he was extremely sorry for his actions.
District Judge Barney McElholm fined Wells £250 and ordered him to pay a £15 offenders' levy.
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